Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B31/00—Fishing for or freeing objects in boreholes or wells
  • E21B31/06—Fishing for or freeing objects in boreholes or wells using magnetic means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to well bore tools and, more particularly, to an apparatus for retrieval of metal debris, such as cuttings, shavings, and other foreign objects that accumulate in the process of perforating or milling over bridge plugs and other down hole obstructions from a well bore.
• metal debris such as cuttings, shavings, and other foreign objects that accumulate in the process of perforating or milling over bridge plugs and other down hole obstructions from a well bore.
• bridge plugs that are installed in the annulus and often are covered in cement when the well is completed. Removal of these plugs often poses a problem for the industry.
• a rotary bit drills the cement and the plugs out, while some of the cuttings of the plugs are carried to the surface by circulating liquids.
• a production packer needs to be removed together with a metal pipe that it surrounds.
• milling tools with gravity fed boot baskets are used for retrieving pieces of metal debris from the well bore.
• a conventional fishing magnet is mounted inside a housing that is lowered into a well bore. It is limited in the ability to retrieve cuttings in that its magnetization is restricted to the extreme bottom surface of the magnet. The fact that circulating fluids lift the cuttings away from the bottom surface of the magnet renders such conventional fishing magnets useless in this particular case.
• a boot basket is used for collecting cuttings that did not attach themselves to conventional magnets.
• a boot basket has small openings for catching these particles. Consequently, many large size pieces or very small pieces suspended in the circulating fluid are not trapped in the basket and remain in the well bore, hindering the production of oil.
• the tool for collecting magnetic waste material has an inner and outer coaxial tubular members made of non-magnetic material.
• a plurality of magnets is located between the tubular members, with the axes of the magnets being parallel to the common longitudinal axis of the tubular member.
• the magnets are secured on the tubular member, and recesses are formed between the magnets parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each recess occupies the space between the adjacent sides of two magnets.
• the outer tubular member in the '033 patent is made of stainless steel, and strips of non-magnetic material are welded to the outer tubular member at the base of each recess.
• the magnets are enclosed by the outer tubular member to protect the magnets against forceful contact with shavings attracted by the magnets when the tubular member is rotated.
• the present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a well bore apparatus for removal of metal debris, such as cuttings, shavings and other foreign particles from a well bore.
• an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retrieval of metal cuttings and other debris from a well bore. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for retrieval of metal debris with increased "catching" capacity of the tool.
• a metal debris retrieval tool that comprises a cylindrical tubular body with a through opening and a plurality of recesses formed on the tool body. Each recess receives a magnet assembly therein. Each magnet assembly comprises a magnet liner fitted into the recess and a magnet member placed on the liner and detachably secured on the tool body.
• the magnet members are protected against direct impact with the metal particles by a magnet protector formed by an outwardly extending portion of the tool body.
• a magnet protector formed by an outwardly extending portion of the tool body.
• Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus for retrieving metal debris in accordance with the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a side view of the tubular tool body with a pin and box connection.
• Figure 3 is a detail view showing orientation of the magnet protectors in an exemplary four-magnet tool.
• Figure 4 is a detail end view showing orientation of the magnet protectors when three tools of the present invention are connected en-to-end and lowered into a well bore.
• Figure 5 is a detail view showing a lug used for securing magnets to the tubular body.
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a lug taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5.
• Figure 7 is a detail cross-sectional view showing a recess cut out in the body of the tool for positioning of a magnet therein.
• Figure 8 is a detail top view showing the slot area for receiving a magnet.
• Figure 9 is a detail cross-sectional view showing positioning of a magnet and securing thereof with a lug within a recess.
• Figure 10 is a detail side view of a magnet liner.
• Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the magnet liner taken along lines 11-11 of Figure 10.
• Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary seven-magnet tool.
• Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary eight-magnet tool.
• FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary two-magnet tool of the present invention.
• Figure 15 is a detail view showing the use of securing rings in relation to a magnet.
• the tool body 10 is a generally cylindrical tubular body having a cental through opening 12 that extends from the first end 14 of the tool body to the second end 16 thereof.
• a pin connector 18 is formed on the first end 14 of the body 10
• a box connector 20 is formed in the second end 16 of the tool body 10.
• the tool body 10 is provided with recessed portions 22 (three recesses 22a, 22b, 22c shown in Figure 1) within which magnet members are secured.
• each recessed portion 22a, b, and.c is fo ⁇ ned by a cut out in the tool body that extends longitudinally along the outer surface of the tool body 10, parallel to the cental axis 24 of the tool body 10.
• Each cut out 22 has an inner surface 26, defined by a first transverse shoulder 28 and a second transverse shoulder 30. The shoulders 28 and 30 extend perpendicularly to the central axis 24.
• a second cut out level is defined by opposing surfaces 32 and 34, which are shorter than the surface 26.
• a pair of indentations 36 and 38 is formed in the surfaces 32 and 34, respectively. The indentations 36 and 38 are designed to receive securing bolts or screws, as well be described in more detail below.
• a magnet liner 40 is positioned inside each recess 22 in contact with the surface 26, as shown in Figure 9.
• a magnet member 42 is placed above the liner 40, and securing lugs 44 are placed over the magnet 42 within the recesses 22. Securing screws 46 are placed through the lugs 44 to keep the lugs 44, magnet member 42 and the liner 40 in place on the tool body 10.
• Each magnet member 42 if damaged or worn out, can be easily detached and replaced by first removing the screws 46, then disengaging the lugs 44, and finally lifting the magnet member 42 from the recess 22.
• Each magnet member is individually secured and can be replaced, when necessary, without affecting other magnet members or requiring disassembly of the entire tool.
• each lug 44 is provided with a through opening 50 adapted to receive securing screws therein.
• the top surface 52 of the lug 44 is relatively smooth and straight and extends in a generally co-planar relationship to an exterior surface 54 of the tool body 10.
• the bottom surface 56 of the lug 44 is also straight for contacting the cut out surfaces 32 or 34 of the recess 22.
• Two surfaces of each lug 44 are cut at an angle.
• the surface 58 of each lug 44 is cut at about a 45-degree angle to match the profile of a magnet 42 and ensure a good contact with the surface of the magnets.
• the second downwardly inclined surface 60 of the lug 44 matches the cut out surface of the tool body 10 (see Figure 9).
• the magnet members 42 are positioned within their corresponding recesses, with magnet member 42a positioned in the recess 22a, magnet member 42b positioned in the recess 22b, and magnet member 42c positioned within the recess 22c.
• the magnet members 42a, 42b, and 42c are positioned in a longitudinal relationship along the tool body 10, parallel to the cental axis 24 of the tool body 10 and in a parallel relationship to each other.
• a step up orientation of the magnet members 42a, 42b, and 42c is formed on each tool body 10, i.e. the magnets 42 are not vertically aligned on a particular tool body.
• the number of magnet members 42 in each particular tool differs and can be two or more in number.
• Each magnet member 42 is provided with a protective member, or magnet protector 62.
• the embodiment of Figure 3 shows four magnet protectors 62.
• Figure 10 illustrates a side view of an L-shaped magnet liner 40.
• Figure 11 illustrates a cross-section view of the magnet liner taken along lines 11-11 of Figure 10.
• Each magnet liner is configured to match the profile of the magnet, the recess 22 and the lug 44.
• the magnet liner 40 may be made from brass or other similar non-corrosive material.
• Figure 12 illustrates a seven-magnet tool of the present invention, although only one magnet 42 is shown for clarity.
• Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary eight-magnet tool although only one magnet member is shown placed in a recess 22, it is to be understood that each recess 22 carries a magnet therein.
• Each magnet member 42 is provided with an outwardly extending magnet protector 62.
• Each magnet protector 62 has a first surface 64 which contacts the liner 40, a second, inclined surface 66 and the outermost point 68 which extends farther than the magnet member 42, as can be seen in Figures 12-14.
• the magnet protector shield the magnets from a forceful impact with the metal objects attracted by the magnets when the tool is rotated in a well bore.
• the apparatus of the present invention has a primary debris settling are defined by the exterior surface of the magnet member 42 and a secondary debris settling area defined by a surface 70, which is located immediately behind the inclined surface 68 of the protector 62.
• a primary debris settling are defined by the exterior surface of the magnet member 42 and a secondary debris settling area defined by a surface 70, which is located immediately behind the inclined surface 68 of the protector 62.
• the present invention takes advantage of this secondary force and provides a tool with large surface area designed as a secondary settling area 70 immediately adjacent each magnet protector 62. This large settling area dramatically improves the capability of the apparatus of the present invention to retrieve metal objects from a well bore.
• the surface 70 occupies at least 50 per cent of the surface area created by the exposed magnet surfaces.
• Each secondary settling area 70 is preferably inclined in relation to the surface 26 of the recess 22.
• the degree of incline of the surface 70 differs depending on the number of magnet members used. For instance, in a seven-magnet tool ( Figure 12) the surface 70 extends at about 35 degrees in relation to the surface 26 of the recess 22. In the eight-magnet tool ( Figure 13), the surface 70 is inclined at about 30 degrees in relation to the surface 26 and in a two-magnet tool ( Figure 14), the surface 70 extends at about 52 degrees in relation to the surface 26.
• these values are merely exemplary and may be modified by tool designers depending on the diameter of the tool, the strength of the magnet used and other design criteria.
• FIG. 14 the tool of the present invention utilizing two magnets is illustrated.
• This particular embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention may be used with a small diameter tool body, for instance, 2 % inch outside diameter.
• the recesses 22 are mirror images of each other and form an L-shaped configuration in cross- section.
• the recesses 22 are defined by the inner surface 26, which forms the longer side of the stylized letter "L" a shorter side 82 and an opposing side 83.
• each recess 22 holds a liner 40 and a magnet 42. It is envisioned that the embodiment of Figure 13 can be used with larger diameter tools, for instance an 8-inch diameter, while the embodiment of Figure 14 may be used with smaller size tools.
• a magnet member 42 (only one shown) is fitted within each of the recesses 22 and the portion of the tool body 84 adjacent to the side 83 serves as a magnet protector.
• a magnet liner 40 is fitted in the recess 22 in contact with the surfaces defining the recess 22.
• the secondary settling area, or surface 88 is formed behind the magnet member 42.
• the secondary settling surface 88 is inclined at about a 52-degree angle in relation to the surface 26. Of course, the degree value can differ, depending on the manufacturing choice.
• Figure 15 illustrates still another embodiment of the tool of the present invention, wherein rings are used for securing the magnet member 42 on the tool body 10.
• the rings 90 instead of lugs and screws are placed over the opposing ends of the magnet member 42, adjacent its upper and lower ends, and over the tool body 10. The rings 90 prevent the magnet members 42 from disengaging from the recesses 22 when the tool is rotated.
• the apparatus of the present invention is designed to maximize the heretofore unused area in the magnetic retrieval tool by creating large secondary settling surfaces positioned behind the magnet members.
• the apparatus of the present invention can maximize the amount of metal debris retrieved from the well bore by creating a 360 degree magnetic field.
• the number of magnets in such design applications can be reduced while retaining the magnetic strength necessary for retrieval of a considerable amount of metal debris located in the well bore.
• the flux field is increased without increasing the number of magnets.
• a certain balance needs to be observed when forming recesses in the tool body> smaller diameter tools may lose their structural integrity if too many recesses are cut in the tool body.
• the recesses form weak points in the tool body, especially when the tool is lowered down hole, rotated and metal objects are allowed to settle thereon.
• the present invention takes into consideration the diameter of the tool body, the configuration and the number of recesses that are possible given certain sizes of the tool body and the amount surface area for the metal debris to settle.
• the number of magnets used can be two or more, depending on the tool body diameter and the anticipated amount of debris that is to be retrieved from the well bore.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
• Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)
• Processing Of Stones Or Stones Resemblance Materials (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
• Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
• Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
• Drilling And Boring (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)
• Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)
• Manufacture, Treatment Of Glass Fibers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (3)

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• 2001
  • 2001-04-05 US US09/827,116 patent/US6491117B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-06-15 AT AT01948400T patent/ATE338879T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-06-15 EP EP01948400A patent/EP1373676B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-06-15 WO PCT/US2001/019268 patent/WO2002081859A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-06-15 BR BR0115056-1A patent/BR0115056A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-06-15 EA EA200300909A patent/EA005509B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-06-15 DE DE60122936T patent/DE60122936T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-06-15 MX MXPA03007544A patent/MXPA03007544A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2001-06-15 CA CA2426258A patent/CA2426258C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-06-15 DK DK01948400T patent/DK1373676T3/da active
• 2003
  • 2003-09-09 NO NO20033989A patent/NO321376B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation

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